Robert "Bob" Springer passed away in Oklahoma City on July 7, 2024, at the age of 85. He was born on January 24, 1939, in Franklin, New Hampshire to his beloved parents, Reverend Duane and Almena Springer. Robert had two younger brothers, Bruce and Jerry, and an older adopted brother, Carl.

When Robert was a boy, the family moved to the upper Midwest where his father pastored several Nazarene churches. They lived and ministered in Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Illinois. It was in the North Dakota church that Robert met the love of his life, Linda Ehresman. Robert and Linda married on June 3, 1963 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Soon thereafter, they moved to Rockford, Illinois and in 1967 had a son, Paul. After a couple more years in Rockford, and a couple more in Kingston, Michigan, Robert and his young family moved to Bethany, Oklahoma to complete his college education. In 1973, they had a daughter, Heather. In the same year as Heather's birth, Robert received his bachelor's degree from Bethany Nazarene College. He would end up investing the rest of his impactful life in the Bethany area.

He was a loving and devoted man of faith and family, and a faithful friend. He loved his church, Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, and volunteered countless hours as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and board member among many other roles and ministries.

Robert was a career public school teacher in the Putnam City district including Lake Park Elementary, Tulakes Elementary, Northridge Elementary (where he was the inaugural Teacher of the Year), and Cooper Middle School, for a total of 23 years. Before teaching, he and Linda worked together as resident counselors in homes for disadvantaged youth in Rockford, Illinois and Kingston, Michigan.

He relished spending leisure time with family and friends stating often that they were God's greatest gifts. He also enjoyed reading, cooking, following sports, jigsaw puzzles, and gospel music. Perhaps, his favorite past time was getting out on open Oklahoma roads and exploring. As his reading, studying, and exploration activities attest to, Robert had an insatiable curiosity and desire to continually learn which led to him being such a great teacher.

Robert is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife, Linda Springer; son, Paul Springer and wife Teresa; daughter, Heather Nesbitt; brother, Jerry Springer and wife Judy; grandson, Michael Springer; granddaughter, Elise Nesbitt; grandson, Caleb Springer; step-granddaughter, Ashley Nesbitt; and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Bruce Springer and Carl Springer.

A service in his remembrance will take place at Bethany First Nazarene Church on Thursday, July 11 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reaching Our City (ROC) at www.reachingourcity.org or P.O. Box 272513, Oklahoma City, OK 73127.